Prescribing trends of proton pump inhibitors in NHS Scotland

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Created On: 19/05/2023

The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has increased over the years which is effective in reducing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds in high-risk patients.

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Key take away

One of the ways to increase the prescribing efficiency of PPIs can be done by decreasing or lessening the use of PPIs with high costs. To strengthen healthcare, countries can benefit from this approach given the rising resource pressures driven by ageing populations with the more multifaceted disease.

Background

The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has increased over the years which is effective in reducing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds in high-risk patients. But, their long-term use and costs are still debatable. Increasing the prescription of low-cost generic PPIs can help to cut costs.

This study aimed to examine the effect of numerous demand-side methods in Scotland to increase the prescribing of low-cost generic PPIs and encourage low strengths PPIs.

Method

This research was based on the use and expense of medicines dispensed in retail pharmacies in Scotland (from the year 2001 to 2017) from the prescription costs analysis (PCA) database. This database is compiled by the Information Services Division (ISD) of the National Health Service (NHS) Scotland. The various proposals and measures both nationwide and regionally were recorded.

Result

The high International non-proprietary name prescribing (about 100% for some PPIs) as well as the prescribing of generic PPIs versus patented PPIs was ensured by multiple measures in Scotland. The price of generic PPIs was as low as 8.5% of their pre-patent loss prices.

Generally, the total expenses on PPIs in Scotland were found to be 66.7% lesser at Great Britain pounds (GB£s) 18.83 million in the year 2017 than in 2001. This was regardless of a 3.06-times rise in the use of PPI during this phase. The increasing use of generic PPIs-Lansoprazole and Omeprazole added up to the savings compared to the patent-protected PPIs. A decrease in the recommendation of high-strength PPIs by the physicians was also noticed through this phase.

Conclusion

Generic PPI use allows to save healthcare costs substantially. In current years, many schemes in Scotland have lessened the expenditure on PPIs regardless of the increased use of PPIs (almost 3 times). The reduction of prescribing of higher-strength PPIs has also been ensured. Other countries can look up to this for augmenting their prescribing efficacy.